Caring Well At Both Ends Of Life (with Jen Wilkin)
Melissa and Courtney talk with Jen Wilkin about how seeing the parallels between the beginning of life and its end can help us care for aging loved ones with compassion and honor.
They discuss how our culture’s prioritization of self-sufficiency poorly prepares us for the day when we’ll need to accept help. They share their stories of caring for aging parents and talk about how they’re seeking to number their own days aright as they age.
Resources Mentioned:
- Dust to Dust by Jen Wilkin
- We Shall All Be Changed by Whitney Pipkin
- Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
Related Resources:
- 5 Ways to Honor an Aging Loved One (Even When It’s Hard)
- The Joy of Caring for Aging Parents
- Caregivers Suffer from Dementia Too
- Honor Your Father and Mother
Discussion Questions:
1. Have you ever cared for someone during a season of significant need, or have you received that care? How did the experience shape your understanding of dependence on others?
2. Why can it be difficult to receive help from others, even when we know we need it? What does our reluctance to depend on others reveal about us?
3. Our culture often measures a person’s worth by his or her productivity or abilities. How does the gospel challenge those assumptions, especially as we age?
4. When we think about the possibility of losing some of our independence and abilities as we age, what truths about God and our identity in Christ give us hope?
5. How can churches help ensure that older adults (especially those without children or nearby family) are known and cared for?
6. What practices or habits do you want to cultivate to help you age well, both physically and spiritually?
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